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Isaiah Washington: The Firing Fallout

Well-connected TV Guide sleuth Michael Ausiello has gossip from the Grey's Anatomy world concerning fallout from the firing of Isaiah Washington. Below are his responses to two questions on the subject...

Ausiello: Well, the folks over at Grey's Anatomy are apparently pretty steamed about comments Isaiah's rep, Howard Bragman, made Friday â€" specifically the part about how Washington jumped through hoops only to be fired anyway.

"Apparently, Isaiah missed the point that he should have been apologizing and working on his anger issues because it's the right thing to do," a source close to the Grey's Anatomy set remarked.

"It wasn't just supposed to be an empty exercise he went through for the sake of appearances."

Question: Why did ABC wait so long to fire Isaiah Washington?

Ausiello: The alternative would've been to fire him right in the middle of Season 3, and that would've been a disaster both legally and creatively. The easiest thing to do was release him at the end of his contract, and that's what happened. What's not clear is when exactly the decision to axe him was made. Some say it was as far back as February; others insist a final verdict didn't come until last week when it was announced. Only a handful of people know for sure, and, unfortunately, one of them (Shonda Rhimes?) is nicknamed the Information Nazi.

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tara dawn•June 24, 2007 16:02

From the first episode I knew GA was going to be a great show, love the cast but TR Knights char acter George gets on my last nerve. The firing of IW was not the best idea. Meredith story was getting too boring but the chemistry between IW and Yang was great I think thats what keeps viewers tuned in. I think he is a much bigger part of the show than the network realizes and that they made a very bad decision that could cost them a drop in ratings. They certainly lost a viewer in me

NC•June 20, 2007 03:34

vicky, didn't you say a few comments ago that "this was my last comment"? It's just a show, calm down. And since you're so religous, it's obvious you're anti-gay so there really is no point in having a reasonable debate with you about Burke's actions since you're so biased. You probably believed that he did the right thing. Enough said!

vicky•June 19, 2007 13:11

So you feel he disrespected Grey's fans with his attitude. Okay. Well, since then he has apoligized on several occassions. And I, despite what anti IW fans think, including yourself, I believe he was truly sorry. Now, are you saying YOU, being one of the direspected Grey's fans, will NOT accept his apology? Are you one of those people that hold unforgiveness in your heart until Christ comes back? You know that you won't be going back with Him with unforgiveness in your heart of any kind don't you? You're probably saying right now, " That moron IW isn't going to make it in either with what he did" Well, yes he will. Do you want to know why? The difference between you and him is that HHHEEE AAAPPPOOOLLLOOOGGGIIIZZZEEEDDD!!!! HHHEEE"""SSS SSSOOORRRRRRYYY!!! When Christ gave his life on the cross for you and I, He knew at that moment that Isaiah was going to mess up on that day. Just like He knew that you were not going to forgive Isaiah. When He died that took care of all of that. Even your unforgiveness. Now after that, He rose and is alive and we are able to have a personal relationship with Him. In that, we can ask for forgiveness for whatever sins we have committed. Isaiah asked for forgiveness. He's covered! You refuse to accept it. Your'e not! You need to think about that! Not just in this situation. But in your everyday life with real life people you actually have a relationship with. I didn't mean to go off in this direction. I know some people have a problem with religion. And I know this post isn't for that. But when your'e dealing with people, the person that you are on the inside comes out, and that's who I am. A child of God. I'm not perfect. I have flaws and opinions and feelings just like the next person. I just try to make sure I express them with dignity and respect for others. Hopefully no one gets offended by my mentioning THE ONE that wakes them up every morning to see another day, and try to kick me off this site because of their rights. (sarcasm) I'm not sorry for bringing up God. And I'm not going to promise that I won't bring him up again. But I will say that I won't make it a HABIT.

Calliope•June 19, 2007 06:53

joiedevivre I not bashing IW fans. I'm sad for Cristina/Burke fans but I dislike IW. He didn't respect Grey's fans with his attitude

MJ•June 18, 2007 22:49

I haven't watch all of these movies yet, a lot I just recently purchased. I started watching GA late in Season 2, and even though I had heard of him, I was never a fan until now. So i have a lot of catching up to do. I think I'll watch them on Thurs. to replace GA. The only one I've seen that you mentioned is Out of Sight. I'll have to get the other ones you listed.

vicky•June 18, 2007 20:50

Hey MJ, I've also seen Exit Wounds with Steven Segal, Wild things 2, the first 3 episodes of Soul Food (the series), Trois 3:The Escort, Out of Sight, Mixing Nia, Clockers, Love Jones, he even has a part in Crooklyn.It's more out there. I didn't see these movies until I started watching Greys Anatomy. Watching Preston Burke made me interested in Isaiah Washington.

MJ•June 18, 2007 19:37

Hi Vicky, The other videos I have are:Romeo Must DieGhost ShipTrue CrimesCome SeptemberClockerGet on the BusHollywood Homocide

joiedevivre•June 18, 2007 12:00

Calliope: I respect the fact that we all have our own likes and dislikes about the show, but I think that it is very uncalled for to diss a particular actor to his fans. I've seen a good number of your negative comments with regard to Isaiah Washington and I would really appreciate it if you would keep such comments to those forums that are *against* Isaiah, so that us fans will not have to tolerate your hateful words. Doesn't make much sense for you to be speaking ill of Isaiah in the midst of all of us who are supporting him; you're obviously just asking for retaliation and arguments to arise. Similarly, as Isaiah's fans we would not log into anti-Isaiah forums and proclaim our support for him.

vicky•June 18, 2007 10:57

Are you following me?

Calliope•June 18, 2007 10:35

Burke/Cristina were pathetic. I love Cristina and I hate Burke. IW is a moron. He should respect his co-stars.Addek were horrid. Vomit.

Did you say it? 'I love you. I don't ever want to live without you. You changed my life.' Did you say it? Make a plan. Set a goal. Work toward it, but every now and then, look around; Drink it in 'cause this is it. It might all be gone tomorrow."

I want to marry you. I want to have kids with you. I want to build us a house. I want to settle down and grow old with you. I want to die when I'm 110 years old, in your arms. I don't want 48 uninterrupted hours. I want a lifetime. Mmm. Do you see what happens? I say things like that and you fight the urge to run in the opposite direction. It's okay, I understand. I didn't, but now I do, I do. You're just getting started and I've been doing this for a long time now. Deep down, you're still an intern, and you're not ready.